"We're done with tackle to the ground," UAB head coach Bill Clark said. "We'll tackle to the ground in the spring game. Tackling to me is wrapping up, running your feet and tackling to the ground is a chance for injuries. That's why we try and stay off the ground. We're as close as you can get without doing that."

Clark was pleased with the effort and improvement throughout practice. The challenge remains for the Blazers to stay at the right tempo.

"We say if you're walking, you're wrong," Clark said. "The last practice was probably our best. The last two or three periods, I saw us wane a little bit. That's probably natural with the number of reps we got. That's something we've got to work on."

Clark said he also didn't have a solid depth chart to give out. Obviously coaches have a good idea of who's able to do what, but there are several players out with injuries and several newcomers enrolling this summer.

Jake Ganus and Destin Challenger, who are returning starters at linebacker, are injured. That gives youngsters like Jalan Coleman and Ervin Alston a chance to get more reps with the first unit. Jordan Howard's shoulder injury gives running back Ja'Won Arrington a chance to run with the ones.

UAB will get an infusion of athletes at positions like offensive line and the secondary for more competition this fall.

"I think we've got an idea, but we've got so many guys coming in the summer, so see what happens there," Clark said. "We've got an idea. It's changed a lot, so we want to keep that mindset of nobody relaxing.

"I don't know how we could form a depth chart with the (injured) labrums and all that other stuff."

UAB returns to the practice field on Sunday. The Blazers also practice next Wednesday and Thursday before Friday's spring game at 6 p.m. at West Campus Field.

"My biggest worry coming into next week is academics," Clark said. "We have a few that's a few minutes short on study halls and we'll have to give them some reminders.